Spend an hour with us, and we'll save you days of Googling on your own.
Hi, I'm Forest Chaput de Saintonge.
I'm a professional photography educator and the former Director of Rocky Mountain School of Photography. I love teaching photography and helping students move their career or hobby forward.
When I'm not filming videos or teaching photography, I love hanging out with my kids, building things, weight lifting, and astrophotography. In fact, I'm a huge astronomy nerd, hold a degree in astrophysics, and I'm even an alumni of the MINERVA Exoplanet Observatory Team! (Can you tell I love space? **)
In my free time, l also serve as a 2024 Adobe Lightroom Advisory Board Member, a speaker at the Night Photo Summit, and a lecturer at Atlas Obscura and B&H Event Space. It's a pleasure to meet you!
Hey everybody! I'm Sarah.
With a BA in photojournalism and a decade of experience as Assistant Director & Marketing Director at Rocky Mountain School of Photography, I specialize in helping photographers refine their skills, build compelling websites, and navigate their creative paths with confidence. As an expert in Lightroom, Photoshop, and design, I’m passionate about empowering others through education, creativity, and community.
At my core, I love helping people trust their own abilities, break through creative blocks, and develop confidence in their work. When I’m not immersed in photography, you’ll find me editing images, exploring the outdoors, cooking and baking, shooting film, and spending time with Forest and our amazing kids.
We want to help you gain the knowledge you’re looking for, and we promise to do so with patience, kindness, and precision.
These are the things we care about:
Our entire purpose is to SAVE YOU TIME so that you can move forward doing what it is that you want to do instead of feeling bogged down by editing, website development, or second guessing.
Testimonials
Tech Support Client
They have both helped me in a variety of ways over about a dozen years, ever since this committed film photographer was lured into the digital world.
I have enjoyed and learned a lot from short courses taught live by Forest, as well as his YouTube videos. But Sarah has been especially helpful both by introducing me to Lightroom and by solving technical challenges.
One episode stands out. My Lightroom program once encountered a major problem after an update: the program could not retrieve images from the catalog. I worked with Adobe customer service agents on three different occasions, but none was able to resolve the problem, even while sharing my screen. Then I called Sarah. The problem proved a bit of a conundrum even for her, but her unquestioned expertise, persistence, and patience paid off. Solving the issue required a number of email exchanges, two Zoom calls with screen sharing, and two personal visits to my home.
In all our contacts, I have trusted Sarah completely, and she has never lost her warm and gracious smile.
Previous Student at RMSP
Both Sarah and Forest are passionate about teaching and always put students’ needs at the forefront of everything they do. They are not only teachers, but mentors, helping students to flourish both technically and artistically. Their presentations were crafted thoughtfully and delivered with clarity.
I’ve leaned on Forest and Sarah’s expertise several times over the years with questions and individual sessions, including 1:1 portfolio reviews and 1:1 coaching sessions helping me delve into the world of Google analytics. At every turn, Forest and Sarah have been more than willing to help me (and my business) grow in whatever manner needed at the time. I cannot recommend their services more highly.
If you need some guidance and support in the realm of photography~ reach out to Forest and Sarah and, I promise, they will help you through whatever roadblock you’re currently facing and get you to the next level!"
Professional Photographer
Sarah's remarkably good at translating complicated concepts into easy-to-understand practices in a way that leaves no one behind. Sarah connects with her students on a personal level and is fantastic at understanding that every creative’s journey is different. From learning about who you are as a photographer to how to execute your vision, she's an expert.
The only people who know more than Forest about Photoshop are the devs themselves. The way in which he goes beyond the steps of a process to break it down and make it easy to grasp is incredible. I can tell that Forest more than "knows" about this space; he lives it and deeply understands it. I'm confident that if someone doesn't understand Photoshop yet, it's not that they can't get it; it's just that they haven't had the right instructor. Forest is the right instructor.
Previous Student at RMSP
Sarah consistently uplifted my ideas and helped to refine them into not only something that I would love but something that could speak to my audience. Sarah supported me wholeheartedly throughout my time having her as a teacher, not only allowing me to explore the things that interested me but encouraging me to step beyond my comfort zone and lean into trying new things, teaching me that failure leads to success. Sarah consistently motivated me and my fellow classmates to allow ourselves to explore and push boundaries.
Forest Chaput de Saintonge was an exceptional mentor who helped me research exactly what I was looking for, whether it be tech or somewhere new to move; Forest was always willing and wanted to help find the perfect fit for me. Forest would always make me aware of the risks that come with any decision but would never try to sway me with them, simply to support me and offer all the factors in each decision. Forest's knowledge is unparalleled and extensive, and he always wants to share it. Forest often checked in with me to give me the best aid he could and consistently offered the support I needed.
Custom Instruction Clients
We began our relationship with RMSP and their “family” in 2012! Our love of photography bloomed because of the tutelage of Neil, Forest, and Sarah Chaput de Saintonge.
They are the consummate professionals who have a mastery of and an incredibly diverse knowledge in photography and all its components. We enjoyed every class we took.
As important to our success with all aspects of photography were the hours spent with Forest in one-on-one sessions!
Forest set up and aided us in utilizing Lightroom, the use of our mirrorless Olympus cameras and lenses, computer-based issues and so much more!
Forest has the amazing ability to teach and share his knowledge in a positive light!
We are so very grateful!
Previous Student at RMSP
He always makes time for his students and is an excellent teacher on the stand. Even when it's something I am not as interested in or passionate about such as why a camera works the way it does - He always is engaging and makes it fun to learn about. I dont know what I would do without him, I am beyond thankful.
Sarah is also a great teacher and is always willing to help when she can. She's done more than she knows for me and I am thankful for her every day; the program wouldn't be the same without her.
